Coventry City fans welcomed Conor Chaplin to the Ricoh Arena but they had to wait until the 54th minute to see the striker make his long-awaited debut on a disappointing day for the Sky Blues.

The 21-year-old was thrown on after Mark Robins’s men fell behind to a scruffy Calvin Andrew goal early in the second half.

But the story of the day was a stack of missed opportunities in front of goal.

City played by far the better football and created a host of opportunities but struggled to hit the target time and time again, managing it just twice from 16 attempts - Luke Thomas going closest with an effort that was denied by a decent save by the keeper.

STARTING FORMATION: 4-2-3-1

LEE BURGE: 7

Pulled off a good early save to deny Callum Camps’ rising effort and largely commanded his box well. Beaten from close range after City failed to clear from a corner.

JACK GRIMMER: 8.5

Enjoyed loads of space going forward where he sent in a string of crosses, proving a really effective outlet. Impressive display from the full-back who created a string of chances for the front men.

JORDAN WILLIS: 7

Solid at the back and unusually lively going forward, on one occasion beating two men and sending in a decent cross which is just nicked away from the head of Clarke-Harris.

DOMINIC HYAM: 6

Continued to impress with his cool and calm approach to the art of defending for the most part but was at fault for the goal, allowing his marker Calvin Andrew to pounce.

BRANDON MASON: 6.5

A good outlet going forward down th left from where he sent in some decent deliveries, particularly in the first half when City should have put Dale to the sword.

TOM BAYLISS: 7

Made good use of the ball, confident in possession and tried to get City going forward with some driving runs. Faded in the second half.

MICHAEL DOYLE: 7

Organised and marshalled in the midfield, doing a brilliant job just sitting and recycling the ball.

LUKE THOMAS: 7

A constant threat with his pace, the Derby loan man created chances and had several himself, although he failed to hit the target from decent positions on three occasions in the first half. Finally tested the keeper with City’s best effort. Just needs to sharpen up in front of goal.

TONY ANDREU: 6

Made good use of the ball, dragged a decent shot wide in an exciting yet ultimately frustrating first half when City failed to capitalise on their pressure. He was, however, criticised for his part in the goal after failing to cut out the cross after Dale played a short corner.

JORDAN SHIPLEY: 6

Put a decent shift in, linking up well with Mason on the left.

JONSON CLARKE-HARRIS: 7

Led the line well, looking strong in the box and really up for it. Sent two first half headers just wide and should really have scored in the second half when he headed another Grimmer centre wide of the mark. Could have had a hat-trick.

SUBSTITUTES:

CONOR CHAPLIN (54 mins, for Andreu): 6

Deployed in the No.10 role behind Clarke-Harris, Chaplin showed good movement and set Thomas up for a decent chance. Difficult for the lad to get into the game at a time when City were chasing and struggling to re-establish their dominance.

REISE ALLASSANI (68 mins, for Shipley): 6

Injected pace and fresh impetus as City were chasing the game.

AMADOU BAKAYOKO (76 mins, for Clarke-Harris): 6

Put himself about and worked hard but couldn’t find a way through the Dale defence.